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Why Jeff Zucker Is Leaving CNN

Jeff Zucker, the president of the Cable News Network (CNN) recently announced his resignation for refusing to disclose his relationship with Allison Gollust, a long time colleague.

Published

3 years ago

February 3, 2022

Olawale Egbeyemi

Jeff Zucker, the president of the Cable News Network (CNN) recently announced his resignation for refusing to disclose his relationship with Allison Gollust, a long time colleague.

Recall that Zucker fired prime time anchor Chris Cuomo for improperly advising his brother, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, about how to address sexual misconduct allegations.

Announcing his resignation in a memo, he said: “As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo’s tenure at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years, I acknowledged the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today.”

According to a report on CNN, Zucker and Gollust began working together at NBC in 1998. They rose through the ranks at the network together, and when Zucker joined CNN, Gollust was among his first hires. Just before coming to CNN Gollust had worked briefly as communications director for Andrew Cuomo. She is currently executive vice president and chief marketing officer at CNN.

In a statement of her own, Gollust said, “Jeff and I have been close friends and professional partners for over 20 years. Recently, our relationship changed during COVID. I regret that we didn’t disclose it at the right time. I’m incredibly proud of my time at CNN and look forward to continuing the great work we do every day.”

CNN however named an interim leadership team made up of veteran executives Amy Entelis, Michael Bass and Ken Jautz to take over from Jeff Zucker as the President of the Network.

According to another report on LA times Jeff Zucker had earlier faced criticism for not disciplining or suspending Chris Cuomo when it was first revealed in May that he was assisting his brother in handling the crisis, a blatant violation of journalistic practices.

Zucker however fired Chris Cuomo in December after a report from the New York state attorney general’s office revealed that the anchor had been more involved in his brother’s dealings than CNN executives previously realized.

An outside law firm was brought in by CNN to review the testimony by Chris Cuomo and other materials, such as text messages, which depict him developing strategies that included contacting journalists covering his brother’s situation.

After the report was released and Cuomo was suspended, a former female colleague of his at ABC News came forward with an allegation of sexual assault, which sealed his fate. A representative for Chris Cuomo denied the allegation.

According to the same report, Chris Cuomo had told friends that Zucker was well aware of his activities on behalf of his brother, especially as CNN promoted joint on-air appearances with him in 2020 as the former governor was riding high for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shortly after Cuomo’s firing — depriving him of a $6-million annual salary — a detailed speculative account on the Zucker-Gollust relationship appeared on the website Radar Online.

However, when the company learned of the relationship with Gollust, WarnerMedia Chief Executive Jason Kilar immediately recognized that Zucker had violated the company’s ethics policies.

It was Zucker’s responsibility, as the supervisor, to report to his superiors the nature of his relationship with a subordinate.

Zucker was known as a hands-on leader who was loyal to his troops and received their unwavering allegiance in return. One of Zucker’s hires, Alisyn Camerota, expressed anger over the circumstances surrounding his resignation during her afternoon program Wednesday.

“This is an incredible loss,” Camerota said. “[Jeff] had this unique ability to make us feel special, and I don’t think that comes around all the time. These are two consenting adults who were both executives. That they can’t have a private relationship — it feels wrong.”

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Why Jeff Zucker Is Leaving CNN